A famous explorer claimed he was attacked in the desert by bandits who stole his water canteens and left him to die of thirst. He crawled into town hours later, his lips bone-dry. The sheriff offered him a glass of water, which the explorer chugged instantly. The sheriff then arrested the explorer for insurance fraud. What gave him away?
Saliva glands
A person suffering from genuine, severe dehydration has dry mouth and non-functioning salivary glands, making immediate aggressive swallowing physically painful and difficult without slow rehydration. Also, his overall physical endurance didn't match true desert exposure.
About this riddle
Detective riddles are tiny mysteries. Look for the detail in the story that does not fit; it is usually the clue that solves the case.
Difficulty: Hard. More like this: Detective riddles with answers or try Truth & Lie Island for a different kind of puzzle.
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